Things seem to be coming together at last. Resting heart rate is back down consistently under 40, weight is coming down steadily and my legs feel ok when running ! Very positive about it all now. Just keep it steady now for 3 weeks, get some decent running in and a good performance feels like it could be on the cards.

On Saturday I headed into Surrey on my time trial bike. My intention was to just do a pretty light easy ride. I’ve done so much riding over the past weeks I felt something just to spin out the legs would be ideal. It’s a good sign when 118 miles in 7 hours feels like an easy ride ! Spent 10 minutes stretching before heading out for a short run. I managed 3 miles but felt the hamstring was tightening. Spent Saturday evening feeling pretty concerned.

Sunday the plan was to do a long ride constantly pushing. I headed out to St Neots to try out a café I’d spotted last week. I got there (about 70 miles) with my average in the high 17 mph range. The café had a queue out the door … the locals clearly like it so I thought it was worth a try. It was good but I tell you if Market Café or Peoples Choice set up next door they wouldn’t have a chance. Back on the bike I pushed it along. I hit 112 miles in just over 6 hours – over the moon. Got home having done 146 miles in 8 hours – my fastest training ride ever. Did loads of stretching whilst watching the World Triathlon Championship on TV and then ran the 2.5 miles to Janes for dinner. Not a single twinge in the hamstring. Even ran back without a problem.

Monday morning I slept right through my alarm for swimming. That’s a sign I need my rest. I slept 10 hours and decided to have a rest day. I pottered at home, went to the cinema, had a massage and got an early night. Well chuffed that on a rest day I ate well – didn’t go having loads of crappy cakes and such like.

This morning I decide to catch the train out to Epsom. It was nice to sit on there going the opposite way to all the commuters and drink a large cup of coffee and eat a cinnamon and raison bagel with cream cheese and peanut butter – yummy. Set me up just right. Did a very convoluted route to Cranleigh before taking in several hills back to Box Hill. Got back having completed 124 miles in 7h44m. I’d decided I need to test out the hamstring so went straight out to run without stretching. Did 6.5 miles at 8 minute mile pace. After about a mile I thought perhaps the hamstring was starting to tighten but it didn’t. Completed the whole run on cloud 9 !!